Leaksville
RANK #34 / 996 NAT · #3 / 51 NC · POP 91,209
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +41%
Rockingham County, North Carolina, known as "North Carolina's North Star," offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The county is rich in water resources, boasting four rivers and three lakes, including the Dan and Mayo Rivers, which provide opportunities for outdoor recreation like kayaking, boating, and hiking. Located in the Piedmont region, it is partially bordered by Virginia. Commuting to nearby Greensboro is common for many residents, with an average commute time of 27 minutes. Towns like Eden, Reidsville, Madison, and Mayodan contribute to the county's community feel.
Life in Rockingham County often appeals to families and retirees, with a significant percentage of residents owning their homes. The public school system is managed by Rockingham County Schools. The economy, historically tied to agriculture and manufacturing, is experiencing new investments. Recent economic developments include growth in sectors such as energy equipment manufacturing and data centers. These developments are bringing new jobs to the area.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
WhiteFiber AI Data Center Campus (NC-1)
WhiteFiber Inc. (Bit Digital)
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Duke Energy Belews Lake Natural Gas Plants (Proposed)
Duke Energy
|
$850M | Proposed |
|
Williamsburg Rockingham Solar PV Park
Williamsburg Solar
|
$80M | Permitting |
|
Rockingham County Electric Cooperatives Battery Storage
North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (FlexGen)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
UNC Health Rockingham Investment
UNC Health
|
$40M | Planned |
|
TSEA Energy Manufacturing Plant
TSEA Energy
|
$25M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Rockingham County ranks #34 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 97/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.2% and a median household income of $50,737 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Rockingham County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $142,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $743/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Rockingham County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved -1.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.64% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Rockingham County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.